Turbine engine comprising a rotor supporting variable-pitch blades

ABSTRACT

A turbine engine including: a rotor supporting a blade and guided by means of bearings; a control system for controlling the blade, which is solidly connected to the rotor and which includes an actuator driven by energy, the control system being disposed axially upstream of the bearings; and a device for transferring the energy, disposed axially between the bearings and including a stationary member and a moving member. The rotor includes a support ring supporting the blade and a shaft having a frustoconical portion and a cylindrical portion on which the bearings and the moving member are mounted, the frustoconical portion extending about the cylindrical portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a turbine engine comprising a rotor supporting variable pitch blades, and more precisely an engine architecture optimised and adapted to such a turbine engine.

BACKGROUND

A turbine engine can comprise a rotor provided with variable pitch blades, i.e. blades whose pitch (and more precisely the pitch angle) can be adjusted according to the flight parameters, so as to optimise the operation of the turbine engine. As a reminder, the pitch angle of a blade corresponds to the angle, in a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade, between the chord of the blade and the plane of rotation of the rotor.

Such a turbine engine comprises a system for controlling the pitch of the blades. The controlling system generally comprises an actuator common to all blades and a mechanism specific to each blade, the mechanism being configured to transform the movement initiated by the actuator into a rotary movement of the corresponding blade.

Traditionally, the actuator is secured to the fixed structure of the turbine engine (i.e. placed in a fixed reference frame) and the various mechanisms are secured to the rotor (i.e. placed in a rotating reference frame). In addition, the controlling system comprises a load transfer bearing (LTB) to ensure that the movement initiated by the actuator (fixed reference frame) is transmitted to the mechanisms (rotating reference frame).

The movement of the actuator makes it possible to synchronously adjust the pitch of all the blades via the load transfer bearing and the various mechanisms.

It is also known from document EP-A1-3165452 that the actuator and the mechanisms are secured to the rotor (rotating reference frame). The controlling system (i.e. the actuator and mechanisms) is positioned in a closed annular enclosure bounded by the rotor. The actuator here is a hydraulic actuator. The controlling system thus comprises a rotary union (or rotary joint) to transfer hydraulic energy from the fixed to the rotating reference frame.

Having the actuator in a rotating reference frame means that a load transfer bearing is not required to transmit the movement of the actuator from the fixed to the rotating reference frame, but also means that telescopic servitudes are not required to supply hydraulic power to the actuator.

However, the architecture described in the above-mentioned document has disadvantages. The rotor has a high mass and large dimensions. In fact, the rotor has a parallelogram-shaped cross-section defining the enclosure in which the controlling system in particular is placed. In addition, such an architecture presents a disadvantage during a maintenance operation on the controlling system. Indeed, during such a maintenance operation, it is necessary to dismantle the rotor in order to access the controlling system placed inside, to the detriment of productivity.

The applicant also noted that it is important to limit the angular displacement of the rotor during operation at the rotary union in order to avoid the appearance of hydraulic leaks and to maximise the service life of the latter.

The objective of the present invention is thus to propose a turbine engine with an optimised engine architecture making it possible to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and meet the aforementioned expectations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the invention provides a turbine engine with a longitudinal axis X comprising:

-   -   a rotor supporting at least one variable pitch blade, said rotor         being guided in rotation with respect to a fixed structure of         said turbine engine via a first bearing and a second bearing;     -   a system for controlling the pitch of said at least one blade,         said controlling system being secured to said rotor and         comprising at least a first actuator set in motion by an energy,         said controlling system being arranged axially upstream of said         first and second bearings;     -   a device for transferring said energy disposed axially between         the first bearing and the second bearing, said transferring         device comprising a fixed member secured to said fixed structure         and a moving member secured to said rotor;

characterised in that the rotor comprises a ring for supporting said at least one blade and a shaft having a frustoconical portion and a cylindrical portion to which said first and second bearings and said moving member of said transferring device are attached, the frustoconical portion of the shaft extending around the cylindrical portion.

Such an arrangement of the controlling system, i.e. upstream of the first and second bearings and in other words outside the oil enclosure, makes it possible to simplify the rotor, and consequently to reduce the weight and size of the latter, but also to significantly simplify the maintenance of the controlling system. In fact, to access the controlling system, the inlet cone simply has to be removed. This shape of the rotor, and in particular the shaft whose frustoconical portion extends around the cylindrical portion, significantly reduces the axial dimensions of the engine architecture.

In addition, the axial arrangement of the transferring device between the first bearing and the second bearing prevents hydraulic leakage (when the energy transferred is hydraulic energy) and maximises the service life of the latter. This is because the angular displacement is minimised at the portion of the rotor axially between the first and second bearing. Thus, when the turbine engine is in operation, the mechanical stresses of the moving member on the fixed member are minimised.

The turbine engine according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation from each other or in combination with each other:

-   -   the rotor is annular and defines an open internal space in which         said controlling system is placed;     -   the frustoconical portion of the shaft flares from upstream to         downstream;     -   said first actuator is a hydraulic actuator, said transferring         device being a rotary union, said controlling system comprising         a mechanism configured to transform the movement initiated by         said hydraulic actuator into a rotary movement of said at least         one blade;     -   said first actuator is an electric actuator, said transferring         device being a rotary transformer, said controlling system         comprising a mechanism configured to transform the movement         initiated by said electric actuator into a rotary movement of         said at least one blade;     -   said first actuator is an electric motor comprising a rotary         output shaft, said at least one blade being rotatable about a         axis Y substantially perpendicular to said axis X, said         mechanism comprising a crank having a first end centered on said         axis Y and rotatably coupled to said at least one blade and a         second end having a cam follower eccentric to said axis Y, said         cam follower cooperating with a cam in the form of a groove made         in a ring, said ring being rotationally coupled to said output         shaft of said electric motor;     -   said transferring device is a rotary transformer, said first         actuator is an electric motor configured to actuate a pump of a         hydraulic circuit secured to said rotor, said circuit comprising         a liquid tank connected with said pump, said circuit comprising         a second hydraulic actuator supplied with pressurised liquid by         said pump, said controlling system comprising a mechanism         configured to transform the movement initiated by said second         actuator into a rotary movement of said at least one blade;     -   said circuit comprises an accumulator configured to feather said         at least one blade, in particular in the event of failure of the         rotary transformer;     -   the rotor is guided in rotation with respect to an annular         support of said fixed structure, said support being attached to         an inner hub of an intermediate casing, said support comprising         a frustoconical upstream wall, a frustoconical downstream wall         and a tubular cylindrical wall in which the first bearing and         the fixed member of said transferring device are housed, the         cylindrical wall being disposed axially between said upstream         wall and said downstream wall;     -   the first bearing is disposed upstream of the second bearing;     -   said rotor is coupled in rotation to a planet carrier of a         reduction gear.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly when reading the following description made as an non-limiting example and with reference to the annexed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic axial (or longitudinal) half-section view of a partially represented aircraft turbine engine, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic axial half-section view of a partially represented aircraft turbine engine in a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic axial half-section view of a partially represented aircraft turbine engine in a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a partial representation of a turbine engine 1 with longitudinal axis X and a ducted fan 2. The fan 2 comprises a rotor 3 which is movable (about the axis X) relative to a fixed structure 4, with the rotor 3 supporting a series of variable pitch blades 5. The fan 2 is located upstream of a gas generator comprising, for example, a low-pressure compressor, a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine.

By convention, in this application the terms “upstream” and “Downstream” are defined in relation to the direction of gas flow in the fan 2 (or turbine engine 1). Similarly, by convention in this Application, “internal”, “external”, “inner” and “outer” are defined radially with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the turbomachine 1, which is in particular the axis of rotation of the compressor and turbine rotors.

The rotor 3 is guided in rotation relative to the fixed structure 4 of the turbine engine 1 via a first bearing 6 and a second bearing 7. The turbine engine 1 comprises a pitch 8 for at least one blade 5. The controlling system 8 is secured to the rotor 3 and comprises at least a first actuator 9 which is moved (or actuated) by an energy. The controlling system 8 is arranged axially upstream of the first and second bearings 6, 7. The turbine engine 1 further comprises a device 10 for transferring the energy arranged axially between the first bearing 6 and the second bearing 7. The transferring device 10 comprises a fixed member 11 secured to the fixed structure 4 and a moving member 12 secured to the rotor 3. The rotor 3 comprises a support ring 14 of said at least one blade 5 and a shaft 15 having a frustoconical portion 16 and a cylindrical portion 17 on which the first and second bearings 6, 7 and the moving member 12 of the transferring device 10 are attached, the frustoconical portion 16 of the shaft 15 extending around the cylindrical portion 17 of the shaft 15.

It should be noted that the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 are in no way limiting, the engine architecture according to the invention could, for example, be incorporated into the rotor of a non-ducted fan of a turbine engine, and in particular a turbine engine better known as “Open Rotor” which generally comprises a non-ducted fan or two non-ducted fans that are counter-rotating. In the case of an “Open Rotor” with two counter-rotating non-ducted fans called “Pusher” (i.e. with the fans placed downstream of the gas generator), the engine architecture according to the invention could be adapted more particularly to the rotor of the downstream fan. In the case of an “Open Rotor” with two counter-rotating non-ducted fans called “Puller” (i.e. with the fans placed upstream of the gas generator), the engine architecture according to the invention could be adapted more particularly to the rotor of the upstream fan.

According to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rotor 3 is annular and defines an open internal space 13 in which the controlling system 8 is placed. The ring 14 is arranged around the shaft 15. The ring 14 has a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 17 of the shaft 15. The ring 14 is connected to the frustoconical portion 16 of the shaft 15 via for example fastening means. The frustoconical portion 16 of the shaft 15 flares out from upstream to downstream. The frustoconical portion 16 and the cylindrical portion 17 of the shaft 15 form an axial half-cut pin. The rotor 3 is guided in rotation relative to an annular support 18 of the fixed structure 4. The rotor 3 is rotated by a turbine shaft via a speed reduction gear 19. The reduction gear 19 is an epicyclic reduction gear. The rotor 3 is rotationally coupled to a planet carrier of the reduction gear 19, the planet carrier forming the output shaft of the reduction gear 19. In addition, the rotor 3 comprises an inlet cone 20 which is centred on the axis X and flares from upstream to downstream.

According to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the support 18 is mounted on an inner hub 21 of an intermediate casing 22. The support 18 comprises a frustoconical-shaped upstream wall 23, a frustoconical-shaped downstream wall 24 and a tubular cylindrical wall 25 in which the first bearing 6 and the fixed member 11 of the transferring device 10 are housed. The second bearing 7 is housed in an opening provided in the downstream wall 24. The cylindrical wall 25 is arranged axially between the upstream wall 23 and the downstream wall 24. The upstream and downstream walls 23, 24, and the cylindrical portion 17 of the shaft 15 define between them an annular enclosure 26 (commonly known as the “oil enclosure”) in which the first and second bearings 6, 7 are housed and lubricated. The upstream and downstream walls 23, 24 flare from upstream to downstream. The cylindrical wall 25 extends here from the inner end of the upstream wall 23. The first and second bearings 6, 7 respectively guide the shaft 15 of the rotor 3 in rotation relative to the cylindrical wall 25 and the downstream wall 24 of the support 18. The first bearing 6 is located upstream of the second bearing 7. The first bearing 6 is for example a roller bearing. The second bearing 7 is for example a ball bearing. The sealing means 27 are placed upstream of the first bearing 6 between the cylindrical wall 25 and the cylindrical portion 17 of the shaft 15, so that the enclosure 26 is sealed.

By way of concrete example, the support 18 could be broken down into two separate assemblies, namely a first assembly comprising the upstream wall 23 and the cylindrical wall 25 and a second assembly comprising only the downstream wall 24. Both sets would then be flanged to the inner hub using common fastening means such as screws.

According to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, each blade 5 comprises a root 28 mounted in a housing 29 of the ring 14 via two bearings 30 so that the blade 5 is mobile in rotation around an axis Y substantially perpendicular to the axis X.

According to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the controlling system 8 comprises at least a first actuator 9 and a mechanism 31 specific to each of the blades 5.

The controlling system 8 comprises either a first actuator 9 for each blade 5 or one or more first actuators 9 for all the blades 5.

Advantageously, the controlling system 8 comprises a first actuator 9 common to all blades 5 and a mechanism 31 specific to each of the blades 5, this mechanism 31 making it possible to transform the movement initiated by the first actuator 9 into a rotary movement of the corresponding blade 5. The movement of the first actuator 9 makes it possible to synchronously adjust the pitch of all the blades 5 via in particular the various mechanisms 31.

The first actuator 9 can be either a hydraulic or an electric actuator.

If the first actuator 9 is a hydraulic actuator, the energy to be transported to the actuator is hydraulic energy, i.e. a pressurised liquid such as oil. The actuator is supplied with hydraulic energy via a power supply unit 32. The power supply unit 32 comprises the device 10 for transferring the hydraulic energy from the fixed reference frame (connected to the fixed structure 4) to the rotating reference frame (connected to the rotor 3), this transferring device 10 being here a rotary union 33 (or rotating joint). The rotary union 33 comprises a fixed member 11 secured to the support 18 (and more precisely to the cylindrical wall 25) and a moving member 12 secured to the rotor 3 (and more precisely to the cylindrical portion 17). The rotary union 33 ensures the transmission of hydraulic energy from the fixed member 11 to the moving member 12 (or vice versa) in a sealed manner. The rotary union 33 can comprise one or more tracks. The supply assembly 32 further comprises at least one pipe 34 connected to the fixed member 11 of the rotary union 33, and at least one pipe 35 connected to both the moving member 12 of the rotary union 33 and the first actuator 9.

If the first actuator 9 is an electric actuator, the energy to be transported to the actuator is electrical energy, i.e. electricity. The actuator is supplied with electrical energy via a power supply unit 32. The power supply unit 32 comprises the device 10 for transferring the electrical energy from the fixed reference frame (connected to the fixed structure 4) to the rotating reference frame (connected to the rotor 3), this transferring device 10 being here a rotary transformer 36 (or rotary transformer). The rotary transformer 36 ensures the transmission of electrical energy by means of electromagnetic induction. Such a transformer is, for example, described in more detail in documents EP-A1-1306558 and FR-A1-2712250. The rotary transformer 36 comprises a fixed member 11 secured to the support 18 and a moving member 12 secured to the rotor 3. The power supply unit 32 also comprises at least one cable 37 connected to the fixed member 11 of the rotary transformer 36 and at least one cable 38 connected to both the moving member 12 of the rotary transformer 36 and the first actuator 9.

The first actuator 9 comprises a fixed element in relation to the rotor 3 and a moving element in relation to the fixed element (and therefore in relation to the rotor 3). The fixed element of the first actuator 9 is fixed to the rotor 3. The moving element is linked to at least one mechanism 31. The first actuator 9 can be linear or rotary.

The mechanism 31 comprises, for example, for each blade, a crank with a first end centred on the axis Y and rotationally coupled to the corresponding blade and a second end eccentric to the axis Y and secured to the moving element of the first actuator 9. The crank handle is used to multiply the force required to adjust the pitch of the corresponding blade.

According to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the controlling system 8 comprises at least a first actuator 9 and a mechanism 31 specific to each of the blades 5.

The controlling system 8 comprises either a first actuator 9 for each blade 5 or one or more first actuators 9 for all blades 5.

Advantageously, the controlling system 8 comprises a first actuator 9 common to all blades 5 and a mechanism 31 specific to each of the blades 5. This mechanism 31 makes it possible to transform the movement initiated by the first actuator 9 into a rotary movement of the corresponding blade 5.

More precisely, the first actuator 9 is an electric motor comprising a rotating output shaft 39. For each blade 5, the mechanism 31 comprises a crank 40 with a first end centred on the axis Y and rotationally coupled with the corresponding blade 5, and a second end with a cam follower 41 eccentric to the axis Y. The cam follower 41 cooperates with a cam 42 in the form of a groove made in a ring 43, the ring 43 being rotationally coupled to the output shaft 39 of the electric motor.

The rotary movement of the output shaft 39 of the electric motor allows synchronised adjustment of the pitch of all the blades 5, in particular via the various mechanisms 31 (for each mechanism 31, a cam 42/cam follower 41 assembly and a crank 40).

The stator of the electric motor is fixed to the rotor 3.

The electric motor may comprise a reduction gear. For example, the ring 43 is rotationally coupled to the motor output shaft 39 via a spline or serrated connection.

The power supply unit 32 of the electric motor is identical to that of an electric actuator detailed above in connection with the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the controlling system 8 comprises a first actuator 9 common to all blades 5 and a mechanism 31 specific to each blade 5.

Specifically, the first actuator 9 is an electric motor configured to drive a pump 44 of a hydraulic circuit 45 secured to the rotor 3. The circuit 45 comprises a liquid tank (or reservoir) connected to the pump 44. The circuit 45 comprising a second hydraulic actuator 46 supplied with pressurised liquid by the pump 44. The mechanism 31 is configured to transform the movement initiated by the second actuator 46 into a rotary movement of the corresponding blade 5.

Advantageously, the second actuator 46 is common to all blades 5.

The rotary movement of the rotor of the electric motor makes it possible to synchronously adjust the pitch of all the blades 5 via the hydraulic circuit 45 and the various mechanisms 31.

The hydraulic circuit 45 is said to be autonomous (or independent) in terms of hydraulic energy, and in other words the hydraulic circuit 45 does not receive hydraulic energy from the fixed reference frame.

The stator of the electric motor is fixed to the rotor 3.

The second actuator 46 comprises a fixed element in relation to the rotor 3 and a moving element in relation to the fixed element (and therefore in relation to the rotor 3). The moving element is linked to the mechanisms 31. The second actuator 46 can be linear or rotary.

Mechanism 31 comprises, for example, for each blade, a crank with a first end centred on the axis Y and coupled in rotation with the corresponding blade and a second end eccentric with respect to the axis Y and secured to the moving element of the second actuator 46.

Advantageously, the circuit 45 comprises an accumulator configured to feather the blades, particularly in the event of failure of the rotary transformer 36. The accumulator is, for example, a pressurised liquid reservoir.

In addition, the circuit 45 can comprise one or more pre-actuators configured to, among other things, control the flow of pressurised liquid within the circuit 45. A pre-actuator is, for example, a distributor, valve or servo valve. The electric motor may comprise a reduction gear.

The power supply 32 of the electric motor is identical to that of an electric actuator detailed above in relation to the first embodiment. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A turbine engine with a longitudinal axis (X) comprising: a rotor supporting at least one variable pitch blade, said rotor being guided in rotation relative to a fixed structure of said turbine engine via a first bearing and a second bearing; a controlling system for controlling the pitch of said at least one blade, said controlling system being secured to said rotor and comprising at least one first actuator set in motion by an energy, said controlling system being arranged axially upstream of said first and second bearings; a transferring device for transferring said energy disposed axially between the first bearing and the second bearing, said transferring device comprising a fixed member secured to said fixed structure and a moving member secured to said rotor; wherein the rotor comprises a ring for supporting said at least one blade and a shaft having a frustoconical portion and a cylindrical portion on which said first and second bearings and said moving member of said transferring device are attached, the frustoconical portion of the shaft extending around the cylindrical portion.
 2. The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is annular and defines an open internal space in which said controlling system is placed.
 3. The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the frustoconical portion of the shaft flares out from upstream to downstream.
 4. The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein said first actuator is a hydraulic actuator, said transferring device being a rotary union, said controlling system comprising a mechanism configured to transform the movement initiated by said hydraulic actuator into a rotary movement of said at least one blade.
 5. The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein said first actuator is an electric actuator, said transferring device being a rotary transformer, said controlling system comprising a mechanism configured to transform the movement initiated by said electric actuator into a rotary movement of said at least one blade.
 6. The turbine engine according to claim 5, wherein said first actuator includes an electric motor comprising a rotary output shaft, said at least one blade being rotatable about an axis (Y) substantially perpendicular to said axis (X), said mechanism comprising a crank having a first end centred on said axis (Y) and rotationally coupled with said at least one blade and a second end having a cam follower eccentric with respect to said axis (Y), said cam follower cooperating with a cam in the form of a groove made in a ring, said ring being rotationally coupled to said output shaft of said electric motor.
 7. The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein said transferring device is a rotary transformer, said first actuator includes an electric motor configured to actuate a pump of a hydraulic circuit secured to said rotor, said circuit comprising a liquid tank connected with said pump, said circuit comprising a second hydraulic actuator supplied with pressurised liquid by said pump, said controlling system comprising a mechanism configured to transform the movement initiated by said second actuator into a rotary movement of said at least one blade.
 8. The turbine engine according to claim 7, wherein said circuit comprises an accumulator configured to feather said at least one blade.
 9. The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is guided in rotation with respect to an annular support of said fixed structure, said support being attached to an inner hub of an intermediate casing, said support comprising a frustoconical upstream wall, a frustoconical downstream wall and a tubular cylindrical wall in which the first bearing and the fixed member of said transferring device are housed, the cylindrical wall being disposed axially between said upstream wall and said downstream wall.
 10. The turbine engine according to claim 9, wherein the first bearing is disposed upstream of the second bearing.
 11. The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein said rotor is coupled in rotation to a planet carrier of a reduction gear. 